Free Worth the Wait by Rhonda Laurel

kids.”
    “You’ve been the same weight for years.”
    Morgan laughed. “That’s the way you see me. Sometimes the image of a person gets trapped in our minds at a certain age. Like Grandma. In my mind she’s still in her late fifties.”
    Avery laughed. “Like the family thinking I’m still thirteen?”
    “Yes.” Morgan gave her a sympatheticnod. “But you were a really cute thirteen. It’s kind of hard to let that particular image go.”
    Avery found a beautiful costume necklace with sparkling jewels. She took it out, set Mackenzie on top of the dresser, and clasped it onto her neck. Then she found a shiny barrette and clipped it onto the little girl’s hair before finishing off the ensemble with one of Morgan’s shawls and a fedorashe’d found in a hatbox on a shelf.
    “There. Kenzie, you are looking fierce.” Avery moved Mackenzie over on the bed and took her picture.
    Morgan gave her daughter a few of the toys that were on the front tray of the little car to keep her busy, but she was really interested in Avery’s blinged-out cell phone. Avery gave it to her but made sure she’d locked the screen.
    “Thanks forthe proposal,” Morgan said. “I like your ideas.”
    “You’re welcome. I did some research. I talked to the ladies at the animal shelter where I volunteer. And I was lucky enough to catch Brooke while she was giving Iris a checkup at the stables.”
    Morgan sighed. “I hope nothing’s wrong with Iris.”
    “Me too.” Avery added. Iris was her Uncle Seth’s prized horse, and she knew he’d bedevastated if something happened to her.
    “I like the idea of planning for long-term care just in case we don’t find a home quickly. I think that will help with placing the animals into good homes.”
    “Brooke said she’d help in any way she could. She’s really good with her clientele. The horses love her. Rowdy doesn’t run when she wants to examine him.”
    “She does have a specialtouch. He’s getting crankier in his old age too.” Morgan put away Seth’s boxer shorts. “I don’t know who’s going to take it the worst. Seth, if Iris isn’t well, or the kids when Rowdy starts getting too old to play.”
    “The best we can do is give the animals as much dignity and care as possible as they age, and comfort the humans who love them.”
    Morgan beamed. “Full circle grief counseling.That’s a good idea. We should use what you just said as part of the animal shelter’s credo.”
    “I’ll add it to the proposal.”
    “So things are pretty much set for your big day,” Morgan said, switching subjects. “Your uncle has come to terms with the fact that you want to do something else on your actual birthday and will have a respectable, boring time with us old-timers the followingday. Nina’s going to work her party-planning magic to make it fun yet sophisticated. I cancelled the bouncy castle and a face painter your crazy uncle had reserved.”
    She froze, for a moment unable to breathe. “He does know I’m turning twenty-one?”
    “I think it’s supposed to be a joke. But I think he’ll come to terms with a twenty-one-year old Avery…eventually. Maybe by the time you’rethirty.” Morgan giggled. “The guest list is packed with family members. Did you invite any of your friends from campus?”
    “No, they’re going away on a field excursion for a science class that weekend so we’re going to do something another night. But I do have plans with Parker if she’s not working late.” She fingered the mauve dress. “Can I try this on?”
    “Sure.” Morgan took a seat nextto Mackenzie. “I talked to her the other day. She said she’d definitely be attending the family party too. Then the guest list is complete.”
    “Cool,” she said as she stepped out of her jeans.
    “I’m glad you and Parker became friends.”
    “Why? So some of her badass-ness can rub off on me?”
    “And some of your amiable personality can rub off on her. You two complement each